Ten years ago, a client of ours purchased a prize lot in a beautiful neighborhood along the river. She always imagined the great room in the home she was building to be filled with sunshine and views of the sparkling water. In our conversations together, she expressed her desire for large bay windows with drapery framing the view and adding a layer of style to the room. She even loved a particular fabric that we had used in her previous home so much that she asked us to make sure it was still available for this project.
If only her architect had known.
By the time we were brought in on this project, the custom sized windows had been ordered and the construction was well underway. It became apparent pretty quickly that in the architectural process, not enough space had been afforded on either side of the windows for drapery to hang without obstructing the view.
Ultimately, we treated the windows with a shading system that rolled up and covered almost no glass - or those prized views of the river. As far as the fabric that our client loved, we were able to use it beautifully in another space. The best time to bring in a designer is always as soon as possible.
To empower anyone considering starting a project with an interior designer, we’ve answered some useful FAQs on how our design firm works.
When should I hire an interior designer?
If you are considering an addition, remodel, or building a new home, bring a designer in at the beginning of the process. We are great collaborators with clients, architects, builders, and artisans. Most importantly, we are thinking not only of the house as an object, but of how the rooms will be used on a daily basis.
A good rule of thumb is to bring in your designer before the first pass of the architect’s drawings. This gives us a chance to prove all the room layouts and concepts first, setting you up to make the proper amendments to the drawings - and saving you time and money.
What does an interior designer do?
Designers ask the right questions to understand your lifestyle and manipulate the space to function optimally for you. We inherit anything that wasn’t perfect in the iterations of the space that came before us, resolving a variety of issues for our clients. Our goal is to make sure concepts translate into comfortable and beautiful spaces.
How should I prepare for my initial consultation with an interior designer?
Relax- we’re here to help. For the initial meeting, we ask that you bring pictures of the house and spaces that are involved in the potential project. You can do this by emailing files ahead of time, or by bringing printed or digital photos of your space. Architectural drawings are also welcome. It is strongly encouraged that all decision makers in the design process are present from the beginning; you’ll get a greater value our of the time spent at the first meeting as a result.
We will discuss your goals and budget during this meeting, so it may be helpful to have a general idea of both in mind. It’s okay to not be sure - we’ll go over our design process and answer any specific questions you might have. Some budget questions are better answered after our first house call.
Is there a contract to work with an interior designer?
We have a contract that we will send to you after our initial appointment. Transparency and honesty right from the beginning is how we like to begin the relationship with our clients. The design contract and the scope of work that we prepare for each stage of the project work together to empower all parties with the information needed for a successful relationship.
What should I expect at the first house call?
When we visit the site, or are provided documentation about a future site, we gather detailed information about the desired outcomes of the project. We guide the discussion to help reveal important details and viable options for your project. We measure existing pieces that may be reused and procure measurements and photos of the site. Potential costs and key timelines will be reviewed.
We always tell clients to let me see the house as they live in it. The best way to be prepared for the house call is to make sure the rooms haven't been cleared of signs of life. If magazines usually pile up near a favorite chair in a sunny spot, that tells us how you spend time at home. We need to see your challenges to successfully design for everyday comfort and beauty.
What happens after the house call?
We outline our goals and estimate design costs in a scope of work document to assure utmost transparency before we begin. When the scope of work has been agreed upon, the development stage begins. We further craft our concept; create renderings and specifications; research the best options and select materials. This is where the design challenges are met with solutions and our creativity shines.
What should I expect at the presentation?
At presentation we provide tactile and visual aids as we discuss our proposed ideas. Often our clients want to move forward with exactly what we’ve presented, but sometimes we need to tweak a few details to make the design a little more perfect. The subsequent editing stage is dedicated to alternate selections and refinements.
How does the work on my project begin?
Once the details are agreed on, its time to get orders placed. After we prepare the invoices and receive your deposit, we process and track orders, consult with third party contractors, and maintain contact with all parties to assure a smooth and timely design installation.
How long does it take to complete a design project?
Depending on the scope of the project, completion dates will vary. If we are beginning a project while the site is still in the planning and blueprint stage, we will work closely with you to schedule special orders in advance of a projected move-in date to assure prompt completion. For all projects, custom furnishings, window treatments, and home decor typically can take up to three months from order date to delivery. Other variables related to supply and markets may extend the date of completion.
How much will my interior design cost?
There are three primary areas of cost in a design project: interior design fees, special order item costs, and sub-contractor fees.